1
: marked commendation : acclaim
… the kind of applause every really creative writer wants.—
Robert Tallant
Robert Tallant2
: approval publicly expressed (as by clapping the hands)
a round of applause
Examples of applause in a Sentence
The announcement was greeted with applause and cheers.
a design for a memorial for the victims of the attack that has received nothing but applause from officials, commentators, and the general public
Recent Examples on the Web
While his remarks were met with silence, Rubio’s speech drew bursts of applause and laughter.
—Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 14 Feb. 2026
His remarks were overwhelmingly well received by the crowd, with several lines drawing sustained applause.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
The meeting often turned rowdy as residents gave thunderous applause to those speaking against and jeered those supporting it.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 12 Feb. 2026
But, as the Proviso students arrived at Roosevelt and 25th on Wednesday morning, they were met with whistles and applause from crossing guards and neighbors.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for applause
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Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 14 Feb. 2026
His remarks were overwhelmingly well received by the crowd, with several lines drawing sustained applause.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
The meeting often turned rowdy as residents gave thunderous applause to those speaking against and jeered those supporting it.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 12 Feb. 2026
But, as the Proviso students arrived at Roosevelt and 25th on Wednesday morning, they were met with whistles and applause from crossing guards and neighbors.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for applause
Cite this Entry
“Applause.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/applause. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
applause
noun
ap·plause
ə-ˈplȯz 
: approval shown especially by clapping the hands
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